| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect the work area | Uneven ground, traffic hazards, crew wandering into danger zone | Set up on level ground, deploy cones if near roadway, designate a safe work zone, assign a spotter to monitor crew movements |
| Inspect the chipper | Mechanical failure, damaged guards, dull or loose knives | Verify all guards and shields are in place, check infeed and discharge areas, ensure emergency stop devices work, confirm knives and belts are in good condition |
| Position chipper and truck | Traffic hazards, backing accidents, struck by incidents | Park on stable ground, chock wheels, use spotter when backing, align discharge chute toward chip truck or designated drop zone |
| Don required PPE | Eye injury, noise exposure, foot injury | Wear all required PPE before starting equipment |
| Start chipper and perform function check | Unexpected movement, flying debris | Stand clear of moving parts, engage throttle gradually, check for smooth operation, verify no one is near infeed or discharge |
| Create and enforce a feeding protocol | Entanglement, pull in hazards, crew in unsafe proximity | Only one operator feeds the chipper, maintain a second worker as a safety observer, keep all hands outside the infeed chute, use push tools or long branches to feed material |
| Feed material into chipper | Pull in hazard, kickback of branches, snagging clothing | Feed butt end first, stand to the side of the chute, maintain firm footing, release material immediately once the rollers grab it, avoid overloading machine |
| Manage material flow | Cluttered work zone, tripping hazards, tangled brush | Keep work area clear of loose branches, stage material safely, communicate clearly with ground crew |
| Shut down equipment | Unexpected restart, moving parts not fully stopped | Idle machine down, wait for all moving parts to stop, engage lockout if performing maintenance or clearing jams |
| Clearing jams or blockages | Severe entanglement, amputation, crush injury | Shut machine off, remove key, apply lockout tagout, wait for complete stop, use tools to remove debris, never use hands inside infeed or discharge |
| Clean up and secure equipment | Cuts from sharp edges, lifting injuries | Wear gloves, remove debris with tools, store chipper securely for transport, use proper lifting techniques when moving branches or chipper components |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
Cut resistant gloves
Close fitting clothing (no loose cuffs or dangling items)
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest when working near roads or active equipment
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Chainsaw, Forestry, and Vegetation Management
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Inspect the work area | Uneven ground, traffic hazards, crew wandering into danger zone | Set up on level ground, deploy cones if near roadway, designate a safe work zone, assign a spotter to monitor crew movements |
| Inspect the chipper | Mechanical failure, damaged guards, dull or loose knives | Verify all guards and shields are in place, check infeed and discharge areas, ensure emergency stop devices work, confirm knives and belts are in good condition |
| Position chipper and truck | Traffic hazards, backing accidents, struck by incidents | Park on stable ground, chock wheels, use spotter when backing, align discharge chute toward chip truck or designated drop zone |
| Don required PPE | Eye injury, noise exposure, foot injury | Wear all required PPE before starting equipment |
| Start chipper and perform function check | Unexpected movement, flying debris | Stand clear of moving parts, engage throttle gradually, check for smooth operation, verify no one is near infeed or discharge |
| Create and enforce a feeding protocol | Entanglement, pull in hazards, crew in unsafe proximity | Only one operator feeds the chipper, maintain a second worker as a safety observer, keep all hands outside the infeed chute, use push tools or long branches to feed material |
| Feed material into chipper | Pull in hazard, kickback of branches, snagging clothing | Feed butt end first, stand to the side of the chute, maintain firm footing, release material immediately once the rollers grab it, avoid overloading machine |
| Manage material flow | Cluttered work zone, tripping hazards, tangled brush | Keep work area clear of loose branches, stage material safely, communicate clearly with ground crew |
| Shut down equipment | Unexpected restart, moving parts not fully stopped | Idle machine down, wait for all moving parts to stop, engage lockout if performing maintenance or clearing jams |
| Clearing jams or blockages | Severe entanglement, amputation, crush injury | Shut machine off, remove key, apply lockout tagout, wait for complete stop, use tools to remove debris, never use hands inside infeed or discharge |
| Clean up and secure equipment | Cuts from sharp edges, lifting injuries | Wear gloves, remove debris with tools, store chipper securely for transport, use proper lifting techniques when moving branches or chipper components |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
Hearing protection
Cut resistant gloves
Close fitting clothing (no loose cuffs or dangling items)
Steel toe boots
High visibility vest when working near roads or active equipment